2024 has been a year of remarkable environmental progress, showcasing humanity’s ability to address some of the most pressing ecological challenges. From bold legislation to pioneering restoration efforts, these successes offer hope—but they also invite critical reflection. Below, we explore 12 of the most significant environmental milestones, and question what’s next.
Table of Contents
1. European Union’s Nature Restoration Law
The European Union set an ambitious precedent with its Nature Restoration Law, mandating the restoration of 20% of degraded ecosystems by 2030 and aiming for 90% by 2050. This groundbreaking initiative focuses on rewetting peatlands, reforesting degraded areas, and revitalizing biodiversity hotspots across Europe.
Peatlands, which cover just 3% of Earth’s surface, store twice as much carbon as all the world’s forests combined. Restoring these ecosystems not only captures vast amounts of carbon but also bolsters biodiversity and water management systems. The law represents an exciting step forward for Europe, but achieving its goals is no small feat.
The Challenge:
Implementing this restoration law will require substantial funding and strong enforcement mechanisms. With varying priorities among EU member states, questions arise: Will all nations comply effectively? And how can the EU ensure that restoration focuses on ecological quality rather than just meeting numerical targets?
Learn more: EU Nature Restoration Law
2. Global Carbon Market Standards at COP29
At COP29, global leaders took a major step by agreeing on standards for a UN-backed carbon market. This system aims to regulate and monitor carbon credit transactions, ensuring transparency and accountability. Projects like reforestation, renewable energy, and conservation can now benefit from streamlined market mechanisms.
The carbon market has enormous potential; it’s projected to grow to $50 billion by 2030. However, concerns linger. Past critiques of carbon offsetting include issues like double-counting emissions reductions or the potential for carbon leakage, where emissions reduced in one area are simply displaced to another.
The Question:
Can carbon markets drive real, lasting emissions reductions, or are they merely a tool for wealthier nations and corporations to delay more systemic changes? Success will depend on robust verification systems and prioritizing direct decarbonization efforts.
3. G7 Commitment to End Unabated Coal Use
The G7 nations pledged to phase out unabated coal-fired power plants by 2035, marking a monumental shift in energy policy. Coal is responsible for around 40% of global CO2 emissions, making it the single largest contributor to climate change. This commitment could significantly lower emissions, provided it’s met with concrete action.
The move away from coal is essential for achieving the Paris Agreement’s goal of limiting global temperature rise to 1.5°C. However, critics question whether 2035 is soon enough, given the accelerating impacts of climate change.
The Question:
How can developed nations, like those in the G7, support coal-dependent economies in transitioning to cleaner energy? Without adequate financial and technical assistance, such transitions risk widening global inequalities.
Learn more: G7 Environmental Commitments
4. South Korea’s Climate Law Ruling
In a landmark case, South Korea’s Constitutional Court ruled that failing to implement legally binding greenhouse gas reduction targets violates the constitutional rights of future generations. This ruling underscores the increasing recognition of climate justice as a fundamental human right.
Such decisions are particularly significant in industrialized nations like South Korea, where economic growth has historically come at an environmental cost. This legal precedent could inspire similar cases worldwide, further embedding climate accountability into governance.
The Challenge:
Will this ruling lead to enforceable climate policies, or will political and industrial resistance slow progress? Legal victories must translate into actionable outcomes, particularly in countries facing economic and energy challenges.
Learn more: Human Rights Watch
5. International Court Enforces Environmental Rights
For the first time, the International Court of Justice enforced the right to a healthy environment as a fundamental legal right. This ruling is groundbreaking, offering a framework for holding governments and corporations accountable for environmental degradation on a global scale.
This decision builds on the growing body of international law recognizing nature as a legal entity with inherent rights. However, translating this recognition into real-world change is far from straightforward.
The Question:
How can nations with limited resources or weak governance effectively implement these rights? And will wealthier nations face the same level of scrutiny?
Read more: Human Rights Watch
6. Mexico Elects Climate Scientist as President
In a historic first, Mexico elected Claudia Sheinbaum, a president with a doctorate in energy engineering. This signals a shift toward science-driven governance, as the new administration prioritizes climate policies and renewable energy.
While this is a promising development, Mexico faces significant challenges, including balancing economic growth with environmental protection. The nation’s reliance on fossil fuels and deforestation in key regions like the Yucatán remain pressing issues.
The Question:
Can scientific expertise overcome political and industrial resistance to reform? Mexico’s success may hinge on whether it can align short-term economic priorities with long-term environmental goals.
Learn more: Climate Change news
7. Vermont’s Climate Superfund Act
Vermont became the first U.S. state to pass a law requiring fossil fuel companies to pay for climate damages. Known as the Climate Superfund Act, it establishes a precedent for the polluter-pays principle, holding corporations financially accountable for their role in the climate crisis.
This law represents a bold step forward, but questions remain about its broader applicability. Fossil fuel companies wield immense financial and political power, which could challenge the law’s implementation.
The Challenge:
Can similar legislation gain traction in other states or countries? Vermont’s success will likely depend on its ability to withstand legal and political pushback from industry giants.
Source: https://climatechange.vermont.gov/climate-superfund
8. UN Secretary-General’s Fossil Fuel Advertising Ban Proposal
UN Secretary-General António Guterres made waves by calling for a global ban on fossil fuel advertising, labeling the industry as the “godfathers of climate chaos.” This bold proposal reflects growing frustration with the influence of fossil fuel companies on public discourse.
While banning advertisements could shift narratives around energy consumption, critics argue that this doesn’t address the root issue: fossil fuel production itself.
The Question:
Would banning fossil fuel advertising risk creating a “forbidden fruit” effect, inadvertently strengthening fossil fuel lobbying behind closed doors? A holistic approach targeting both production and promotion may be necessary.
9. Hawaii’s Constitutional Climate Case Settlement
Hawaii settled a climate case recognizing the constitutional right of youth to a life-sustaining climate, committing to net-negative emissions by 2045. This commitment places Hawaii at the forefront of climate accountability in the U.S.
However, as an island state, Hawaii is particularly vulnerable to rising sea levels and extreme weather. Critics question whether 2045 is soon enough, given the urgent climate risks it faces.
The Question:
What additional measures can Hawaii implement to address immediate climate impacts while working toward its 2045 goal?
10. UK Closes Its Last Coal-Fired Power Plant
In a symbolic and practical milestone, the United Kingdom closed its last coal-fired power plant in 2024. This marks the end of an era, with renewable energy now supplying over 80% of the country’s electricity.
While the UK’s transition to cleaner energy is commendable, ensuring a just transition for former coal workers and affected communities remains a challenge.
The Question:
How can the UK scale up renewable energy to meet growing demand while ensuring that no communities are left behind in the energy transition?
Source: BBC
11. Deforestation Reduction in the Amazon
In 2024, both Brazil and Colombia made significant strides in reducing deforestation in the Amazon, demonstrating the impact of strengthened conservation policies and community-driven efforts. Brazil achieved a 30.6% decrease in deforestation, reaching its lowest level in nine years. Meanwhile, Colombia reported a 36% reduction, the lowest deforestation rate since records began.
The Context:
The Amazon is vital to global climate stability, absorbing 2 billion tons of CO2 annually and housing 10% of the world’s known species. Despite its critical importance, approximately 17% of the Amazon has already been lost, with deforestation continuing at a rate equivalent to five football pitches every minute. Crossing a 20-25% loss threshold risks triggering a tipping point, turning the rainforest into a carbon emitter instead of a carbon sink. (Source)
Brazil’s success stems from policies that include stricter enforcement of environmental laws, enhanced satellite monitoring, and revived fines for illegal logging. Colombia’s progress has been bolstered by post-conflict peace agreements, which enabled better governance in former conflict zones, and the launch of a National Restoration Plan aiming to rehabilitate 300,000 hectares of degraded land by 2030.
The Question:
While these reductions are significant, challenges remain. How can both countries sustain these efforts amidst political and economic pressures? Moreover, how can global markets reduce demand for deforestation-driven commodities like soy, beef, and palm oil, which continue to threaten Amazonian ecosystems?While the numbers are promising, challenges remain. Will Brazil sustain this momentum amid political and economic pressures? And how can it balance its growing agricultural economy with the need to protect forests?
Conclusion
2024 has been a year of remarkable progress for the environment, with nations, leaders, and communities stepping up to address critical challenges. From deforestation reductions in the Amazon to groundbreaking legislation like the European Union’s Nature Restoration Law, these wins remind us of humanity’s potential to drive positive change for nature.
Yet, this progress also highlights the complexity of the task ahead. While the Amazon saw reduced deforestation, vast areas are still lost daily, threatening to push this critical ecosystem to an irreversible tipping point. Carbon markets and global coal phase-outs show promise but raise questions about equity, enforcement, and speed. Landmark rulings like those in South Korea and Hawaii emphasize the growing recognition of climate justice, but they also spotlight the gaps between legal victories and real-world implementation.
The successes of 2024 inspire optimism, but they also call for vigilance, collaboration, and sustained action. Platforms like explorer.land play a crucial role in this journey, offering a space for projects to share their stories, monitor their impact, and engage with global audiences. By connecting with tools and initiatives that promote transparency and accountability, we can collectively strengthen the momentum for meaningful change.
As we look toward 2025, the task is clear: build on these achievements, address the challenges they reveal, and continue working toward a future where nature thrives alongside humanity. Let’s celebrate these wins, but let’s not stop here. There’s still much to do, and every action matters.
What do you think? Are we on the right path, or is there more we should be doing? Join the conversation below and share your thoughts!